Ear protecting device



Jan. 6, 1953 R. L. MOTLEY EAR PROTECTING DEVICE.

Filed March 29, 1951 Robert L. Morley IN V EN TOR.

. BY fie... 401 3:".

W -Mm,

Patented Jan. 6, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT orricr.

6 claims. (01. 2-174) This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in ear protecting devices, and the principal object of the invention is to effectively cover and safeguard the ears while the user is being subjected to a hair waving treatment, or the like, the arrangement being such that chemical solutions are prevented from coming in contact with the ears, or draining into the ears, such as other- Wise would be likely to occur.

An important feature of the invention resides in its extremely simple construction, in its pleasing appearancain its adjustability to accommodate different persons, and in its adaptability to economical manufacture.

With the above more important objects and features in view and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the invention in use;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the invention, the same being shown partly in section so as to reveal its construction;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the support member and arms used in the invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional detail, taken substantially in the plane of the line 4-4 in Figure 2; and,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 5-5 in Figure 2 and illustrating one of the cup-shaped ear covers used in the invention.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in the specification and in the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention consists of an ear protectir g device which is designated generally by the reference character Hi, the same embodying in its construction a hollow substantially semicircular support member l2 including a pair of spaced walls 14 which are connected together at their lower edges by a bottom wall l6.

A transverse pivot pin I8 is mounted in the walls [4 in the central lower portion of the support member adjacent the bottom wall l6, while a pair of divergent arms 20 have end portions thereof mounted onthe pin I8 so that they may be swung toward and away from each other.

Substantial portions of the arms 20 project outwardly from the support member [2, and the outer extremities thereof are provided with cupshaped ear covers 22 which are preferably formed from resilient, soft material, such as rubber, or the like.

The edges of the covers 22 are provided with annular grooves 24 (see Figures 2 and 5) so as to create a certain amount of suction when the covers are applied to the head, and it is to be also noted that the covers are provided with a plurality of vent openings 26 to permit circulation of air and facilitate hearing.

The arms 20 are prevented from swinging apart to an excessive extent by the provision of offset detents or stops 28 which are formed integrally with the bottom Wall 16 of the support member l2 (see Figure 2) while a combined reinforcing and stop block 30 is provided centrally between the walls I l adjacent the upper edges thereof. This block is of such dimensions that it is abutted by the arms 20 when the latter are swung toward each other, yet in this position of the arms, the covers 22 are spaced apart, so that actually, the covers 22 cannot come in contact with each other.

In addition to its function as a stop, the block 30 also sustains the walls l4 against spreading or pressing together, and it will be observed that a suitable tension spring 32 extends between the arms 20 within the support member l4, so as to normally urge the arms together.

When the invention is placed in use, the arms 20 are simply spread apart so that the covers 22 may be positioned on the respective ears, whereupon the spring 32, tending to draw the arms 20 together, will automatically sustain the entire device in place.

If so desired, means may be provided for positively locking the arms 20 against swinging movement, such as for example, by the provision of a pair of locking pins 34 which may be selectively inserted in arcuate rows of apertures 36 provided in the walls [4, the pins 34 also passing through apertures 38 in the intermediate portions of the arms 20, so as to effectively lock the same in any desired position.

In addition, an elongated receptacle 40 may be provided integrally on one of the walls I4 to receive hairpins or the like if so desired.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing disclosure and, accordingly, further description thereof at this point is deemed unnecessary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown.

and described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An ear protecting device, comprising a hollow support member including a pair of spaced walls and a bottom wall connecting said walls at lower edges thereof, a transverse pivot pin mounted in said walls adjacent said bottom wall and substantially midway between the ends of the bottom wall, a pair of divergent arms eachhaving an end portion thereof mounted on said pin whereby the arms are swingable toward and away from each other, substantial portions of said arms projecting outwardly beyond the upper edge of said support member, a pair of cup-shaped ear covers provided at the outer ends of the respective arms, and resilient means disposed in the space between the walls inwardly from the upper edge of the latter and adjacent said block, said spring being connected at'the opposite ends thereof to'the respective arms.

5. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein upper edge portions of said spaced walls at the opposite ends of said block are provided with pairs of registering apertures, and removable locking'pins received selectively in said pairs of apertures and engaging said arms for locking the latter against swinging movement.

6. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said cup-shaped ear covers has a substantially annular head engaging edge and" is provided in said head engaging edge with a substantially annular groove. V H

ROBERT L. MOTLEY.

- REFERENCES CITED The following references'are'of record "in" the file of this patent:

UNiTED srA'rEs PATENTS Number Name Date 1,909,856 Dolder May 16,,1933 2,532,852 Oaks Dec; 5, 1950 

